At the 73rd Regional Board Meeting of ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) held in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, labour union representatives from Rourkela urged the committee to reconsider Steel City as the venue for establishment of the proposed ESIC medical college and hospital in lieu of Bhubaneswar.
While labour Secretary-cum-Vice Chairman of the Board CTM Bahuguna presided over it, labour Commissioner Salini Pandit, CITU leader Sibaji Pattanaik, HMS leader Bidyadhar Barik, INTUC leader Harish Gourang, ESIC Regional Director Gourhari Das and industry representatives took part in the meeting.
In his report, regional director said that the Central Government has approved for establishment of an ESIC medical college at Bhubaneswar. Participating in the discussion, HMS leader and board member Bidyadhar Barik moved a proposal to reconsider Rourkela for the venue for the project, and said that accordingly a request may be sent to the Centre.
Board member and CITU leader Sibaji Pattanaik said that it would be better for beneficiaries if it is set up at Rourkela. Expressing his concern over any kind of dispute over this, INTUC leader Harish Gourang said, “If any dispute arose, the State might lose this Central project.”
However, the three labour leaders agreed to meet the Chief Minister along with an all-party delegation to create a conducive situation for Rourkela.
A steering committee meeting of the representatives from different political parties, trade unions and non-government organisations would be held at Rourkela next month to discuss the issue in a broader sense, Barik said.